UN Sanctions and Mediation Project

Mediation and UN sanctions are two essential policy instruments used by the United Nations in its efforts to prevent and resolve conflict. Even though these two tools are almost always deployed in conjunction, the degree of their overlap in time and the sequencing of their application vary. Relatively little is known about when and whether these tools work well together or work poorly. Preliminary evidence suggests that in some recent cases their dual application improved, and in others, diminished the peace and security environment.

Within the UN system, there is no internal guidance on the integrated application of these tools. The gap in knowledge is further exacerbated by the fact that the two expert communities concerned – mediation and sanctions experts – generally operate independently of one another and are driven by different logics and sometimes by different mandates. As a result, there are sensitivities regarding the joint application of sanctions and mediation. However, given the inter-linkages between mediation and sanctions in practice, and particularly in contexts where the UN Security Council is the common mandating authority, it is imperative that these two communities have a forum in which they can explore when and how these tools work best together in order to accomplish larger peace and security goals.

PROJECT OUTLINE

Against this background, this project, conducted by the United Nations University, the Graduate Institute and swisspeace, and funded by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, pursues two main objectives. First, it will create a better understanding of the inter-linkages between sanctions and mediation. Second, this project will bring the two expert communities together to interrogate jointly when and how these tools should be deployed and how coordination can be improved in order to create space for joint engagement on this pressing policy challenge.

The core research consists of 6 country context case studies. The countries include: Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and Libya.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Phase 3
Synthesis and dissemination of research findings: June – November 2018

ADVISORY BOARD

The project is supported by an advisory panel of senior policymakers and academics in the mediation and sanctions fields. Their role is to provide guidance and feedback throughout the course of the project. The panel members are:

• Ms. Roxaneh Bazergan, Team Leader, Mediation Support Unit, Policy and Mediation Division, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations, New York